Just one change for The Whites with Killa deemed fit enough to replace Sean Gregan in the centre of defence, Coventry had Dennis Wise missing due to suspension.


There was a massive Leeds following with expectation rising every week and with good reason, the blunts are doing their best to cock it up and we are getting the luck that has deserted us over the last 4 years.
It was a quiet opening to the game but came to life after 10 minutes when Miller put Hulse clear to shoot wide. Then Coventry came back into the game and Adebola’s effort was cleared by Butler, not long after that Don Hutchinson who had already scored 2 goals against us this season, hit the bar with a free kick, they eventually went in front on 25 through McSheffrey after he was set up by Adebola.


It could have been worse not long after when Killa allowed McSheffrey a clear run on goal, bit he shot wide, Killa was bound to be a bit rusty and will only get back to his pre-injury form with more games.


HT 1-0


KB must have given the boys an earful as Leeds came out strongly in the second half and Hulse almost got us back on level terms after just a couple of minutes with first a header cleared off the line and then one hitting the bar. The Whites were really putting them under pressure but it was just not happening, KB replaced Robbie Blake with David Healy after an hour and shortly after Miller went close with a run and shot but their keeper Fulop was looking up to the task so Ian Moore came on for Douglas but still to little real effect and at this point we were looking at Norwich holding on to their lead against the blunts as consolation.


Then yet again we came good at the end, Eddie Lewis tried to cross from the left and Coventry defender Whing handled in the box, another penalty for the Whites - Healy calmly slotted it past Fulop and that was it.


FT 1-1


The gap between Leeds and the blunts is now down to 4 points and with our game in hand against Palace coming up on Tuesday this week things are hotting up but so far the Whites are holding their nerve.



We now need all our experienced players Kelly, Butler, Derry and Lewis to really show up and remain available from here on in and we can take that second automatic spot.

Nine games to go and they are getting more important every week, Coventry are probably playing their best football of the season at the moment and as we know they beat the Blunts last week so they cannot be under estimated.


We are likely to go with the same 11 as last week against Norwich with the possible exception of Killa replacing Sean Gregan who is suspended, I say possible because I am not sure that Killa is fully fit yet and it would not surprise me if Eirik Bakke filled in at centre back as he has done on a couple of occasions previously.

For Coventry Dennis Wise is suspended which should be in our favour, otherwise they should have the same team that beat the blunts last week.
I fancy us to win here in a high scoring game setting us up nicely for the spare game against Palace on Tuesday and I do not see Sheff U getting anything more than a draw at Norwich but though I think Palace will find it tough at home to Ipswich I expect them to win, Watford are at Saints on Monday and I expect them to win too.


I predict Coventry 2 Leeds 4


Come on Leeds!!!

After last nights drubbing for the South Yorkshire plodders can we still get automatic promotion?


I reckon we can.


The news today is that both Steve Stone and Killa are making quicker progress than expected and although Stone is a long way off he could now be back for the season run in while Killa could be back for Palace at the beginning of March. On top of that Frazer Richardson is back in training and we should finally get clearance this week for Joel Griffiths, so providing competition down the right hand side.


I think the current top six are now nailed on barring any total collapse, all are in good form and everybody below is too inconsistent, but any one of The Whites, Watford or Sheff U could still get that second automatic promotion spot (Reading are not catchable) even though we are still 11 points behind.
The next week could be crucial: We have Derby away at the weekend and then Watford next Tuesday at Elland Road, at the same time as we are playing Watford, Sheff U is at home to Reading. Before those matches, next Tuesday, Watford is at home to Coventry and Sheff U away at Plymouth. If we do our job by beating Derby & Watford and Plymouth can get a draw with Sheff U they will be on the slippery slope before they meet Reading.


It could come down to the last day of the season - Leeds away at Preston and the blunts at home to Palace!!!


Optimistic yes, out of the question – no.